CIA boys earn trip to state

Beeson dueled with Galena's Jory Barnhill throughout the race before pulling ahead to win at the 5-kilometer course with a time of 17 minutes, 42 seconds. Barnhill was 11 seconds behind.

Beeson's performance helped the Eagles boys to a second-place finish at the meet behind Heritage. That means Cook Inlet Academy will be going to the state meet Saturday.

Although Ninilchik School didn't have enough runners to field a boys team, the Wolverines also had some top-10 finishes to put a few boys runners through to state.

Jesse Hostetter finished seventh in 18:57, while Vincent Kruzick was 10th at 19:20.

On the girls side of the meet, the Wolverines also didn't have enough runners for a team, but they did qualify three for the state meet.

Molly Bosick was sixth, Melissa Deiman was seventh and Katie Moerlein was eighth to punch their tickets to Palmer.

"I took eight kids to the meet, and I had five of the eight make it to state, so I'm very happy," Ninilchik coach Penny Vadla said. "I didn't have a full team today, but now we've got a team of kids at state.

"The kids are very happy. I don't think I've had my top three girls runners go under 22 minutes before."

The CIA girls finished third behind champion Susitna Valley, which got a first from Taz Mannix, and second-place Tri Valley. The Eagles did not have any girls runners qualify for state.